Immigration & Residency in Limassol

Permanent Residency by investment (Category 6(2) — Golden Visa)

The Category 6(2) Permanent Residency Programme (commonly called the "Golden Visa" fast-track route) grants indefinite residency to non-EU nationals investing €300,000 (excluding VAT) in a new residential property or authorised Cyprus investment (real estate, business capital, funds, or CySEC-supervised structures). Requirements include annual income of at least €50,000 from foreign sources (increasing per dependent), clean criminal record, and health insurance. Processing time is typically 2-4 months.

PR holders can live in Cyprus indefinitely with rights extending to spouse and dependent children. Physical presence requirement is one visit every two years to maintain status. PR does not automatically confer citizenship; separate naturalisation applies after 7 years of legal residence.

Income-based Permanent Residency (Category F)

Category F is the slow-track, income-based PR route requiring NO property investment. Applicants must demonstrate a secured annual foreign income of at least approximately €9,568 (with an additional ~€4,613 per dependent), clean criminal record, and intention to reside in Cyprus. Processing takes significantly longer than Category 6(2) — often multiple years — due to a substantial backlog. Category F suits retirees and individuals with reliable foreign pension or income streams but who do not wish to make the €300,000 property investment.

Employment and work permits

Non-EU nationals seeking employment in Cyprus require work permits. Standard employment permits are tied to specific employers and roles. The EU Blue Card is available for highly qualified professionals with employment contracts above threshold salaries. Startup Visa allows non-EU entrepreneurs to establish and operate innovative businesses in Cyprus. Family reunification permits are available for spouses and dependent children of permit holders.

For EU/EEA nationals, no work permit is required — registration with Migration Department within 4 months of arrival is standard for stays beyond 3 months.

Digital Nomad Visa

Introduced in 2021, the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU nationals working remotely for foreign employers or as self-employed service providers to reside in Cyprus. Requirements include monthly net income of at least €3,500, comprehensive health insurance, clean criminal record, and remote work arrangement. Initial residence permit is issued for 12 months with renewal for an additional 24 months (36 months total).

Tax residency and non-dom benefits

Immigration and residency are distinct from Cyprus tax residency. Individuals meeting either the 183-day or 60-day rule become Cyprus tax residents. Non-EU nationals establishing Cyprus tax residency can access the significant non-dom tax benefits including 17-year SDC exemption on dividends and interest — see our non-dom advisory page for details.

Choosing an immigration advisor

Cyprus immigration matters are typically handled by law firms with immigration practices, corporate services providers, or specialist immigration consultants. For tax-integrated planning (combining residency and tax structuring), advisors with combined immigration and tax expertise deliver better outcomes than single-focus providers. Verify credentials — Cyprus does not have a specific immigration consultant licensing regime, so track record and client references matter most.